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| Dutchmans Breeches |
Almost forgot this little darling of a plant that resembles a pair of upside down pants. A dear friend noted it was her favorite and I don't want to upset the Queen. It's probably long gone by now as this spring ephemeral sets it's seeds before the trees above leaf out.
Dutchmans Breeches, as you may notice, resemble the bleeding heart plant. Both are dicentras, the flowers are inflated tubes and leaves have a feathery appearance. The long flower is only accessible to bumblebees which have proboscis mouth parts that are able to access the nectar deep within. Some other insects cheat by chewing holes, darn them for putting a hole in a pair of pants.
Here's another one to satisfy her majesty.
Wild Lupine
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| Wild Lupine |
This photo was take in the garden adjacent to the Head Quarters. In the family of peas (Fabeacea) the pea like flowers are opened by the visiting insects. So what would they do without them, just like a friend, they're here to help. It is also the host plant for the Karner Blue Butterflies caterpillars.
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Thank you thank you thank you. The Queen is VERY pleased! They are my favorite. It's all because of the memories they evoke and that if you don't spot them and stop and pay attention you've missed it since they disappear so quickly. Kind of a life lesson to enjoy life which is so fleeting.
ReplyDeleteI think the Lupine are beautiful as well, though I hear a lot of grumbling about the fact that they aren't native in my neighborhood. I have three different Lupines in my garden and they grow like weeds. Every year there are twice as many as the year before. Soon I will have to be culling them and handing them out to friends. I post pictures of them when they bloom. They are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI have seen the Dutchman's Breeches and their inverted pants flowers in our state park ... they really are pretty and delicate until you start thinking of them as upside down pants ... hmmmm. That's a horse of different color. So glad "The Queen" sent me over here. I can see that I will enjoy and learn from you. Welcome to the world of Blog!
Andrea @ From The Sol
See my note on reply, still getting the hang of it.
DeleteGlad you are joining in. The wild lupine is a native of Wisconsin, of course there are many hybrids. Feel lucky you have them reseeded in your garden, my garden isn't good enough for them, too much shade and heavy soils. We always want what we can have. I figure I can visit my blog when I'm old and gray, opps there already and relive the moments.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of blogging. I have the Dutchman's Breeches plant in my garden. It started out with lots of flowers, but this year there only a few flowers. Mine are orange and yellow. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your photos. You have a wonderful day, Edna B.
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